Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-08-02


probably, in connection with the William
son well, the best place for test of the
water and the capacity of the wells-we
found well bored down $50 feet which
has been pumped to the extent of 10000 to
10000 gallons per day. This particular well
has been pumped for nearly three wears,
and while the Committee was present the
pumps were put at their best, and water in
the well showed very little perceptible di-
minution-scarcely enough, considering all
the clrcumstances-to be appreciable. The
county physician tells US that the water is
excellent drinking water; that it is used at
the hospital for culinary and laundry pur-
poses, and found to be desirable for both.
The engineer also informed us that the sup
ply was practically inexhaustible, at least
so far as he knew or could Judge from the
present pump. At the principal well at the
County Hospital, there are two pipes. one
twelve feet lower than the other. When
both are being pumped from together. the
one nearest the surface is exhausted after
some hours, but the lower one has scarcely
at any time perceptibly diminished the
flow.
At the Williamson place, slightly to the
northeast of the County Hospital. a well
was bored down 116 feet. The engineer in
charge, Mr.. Forbes, stated that there was
not so much water this year as last, owing
to the scarcity of rain during the spring.
Mr.. Forbes stated that he considered the
water supply practically inexhaustibie the
present pump having been running for
three summers. They have tapped three
veins at this place-one at so feet. one AT
SO feet and one at 116 feet Either vein is
much below the bottom of the American
river, and can possibly have no connection
Herewith. The experience at the William
son well is the same as at the County Hos
pital. At so to SO feet the water is much
cooler than the supply found lower down.
AT 1l6 feet the water itself was decidedly
warmer TO the taste, but the supply was
more than doubled
Your Committee visited several other
wells, but do not consider it necessary to
speak OF them as they have taken the
Williamson and County Hospital wells as
samples of all on the higher land beyond
the city limits.
On the evening of July ODD, NJ. r. Rose
was before the Committee and gave much
valuable data. As to the quality of water
In this subterranean source he did not car
particularly to speak, further than to saw
that Dr. Harkness had taken samples from
various points, and was perfectly satisfied
after thorough tests. Mr.. Rose said that
he had prospected up and down the river
on both sides for IS miles and had come to
this conclusion-that the best water would
be found from one-half to three quarters
OF mile from the Sacramento river on
the table lands, and at least one-quarter
OF mile away from the American river
He has found that the water in the near
vicinity of either river is to large degree
tainted with iron.
The gentleman gave to the Committee de-
tails as to the well at his place and also at
the old swimming baths, K street between
Tenth and Eleventh, but-as he stated that
the water in both places was impregnated
with iron and soda, as are all the wells
within the territory heretofore described
1t Is not necessary to dwell further on this
matter more than to say that Mr.. Rose
declared it as his opinion that the supply
IN either or both of these places within the
city limits was practically inexhaustible.
MIR. Rose-so far as his knowledge went.
and he claims it to be of over thirtv-five
years-gives ii as his opinion that there is
water within easy reach of Sacramento on
the lands to the east and south that can
not be exhausted by any pumps we can
now use or may ever use.
MIR. Rose has no doubt that these
streams are direct from the mountains.
and have continuous and unfailing flow.
At the County Hospital well, which took
TWO weeks to bore, the water was as clear
as crystal when the pumps started. From
that the gentleman argues the existence
OF strong subterranean flow, which swept
away all the mud and debris in its course.
AS to any source of supply from the Old
ped OF the American river or from the
springs that are known to exist in China
slough, Mr.. Rose declares them to be i'm
practicable, as he has tested both sources
on several occasions. One of the reasons
IS that in either case-leaying aside all
question as to quantity-the water itself
Will be- to large extent, the same that we
are using now-that is, will either be
American river water or American and
Sacramento river water combined, perco-
lated through the soil and mingled with
what spring water may arise in those sew
eral places. As to the Sanborn wells. Mr..
Rose claims that the filling I'D of the
American river has increased the flow of
those and other wells that line the course
OF the old sloughs that used to traverse the
section from the American river to past
Seventh and X streets where the Catholic
church property stood a short time ago.
He is of the opinion that the upper stratum
of the Sanborn wells water connects with
the American river, and also that there is
slpage water combined with the artesian
flow.
His evidence then dwindles down to this
that he has perfect and entire faith in an
lnexhaustlble supply of pure, clear water
within easy reach of Sacramento, and that
the supply should be tapped-to be certain
of being out of the reach of any contain
nation from iron or other mineral ingredi-
ents, or from sipage water-on the table
lands well removed from the Sacramento
and American rivers.
On the evening of July 18th Geo. Stod-
dard Head Draughtsman of the Southern
Pacific Company, was before the committee.
Master Mechanic A. J. Stevens was also
invited to be present, but business detained
him elsewhere. He stated, however, in a
postal card to the Secretary that the pumps
necessary for pumping the water from any
or number of these wells into Sacramento
would cost at least $4,000. Mr. Stoddard.
however, seemed to entirely disagree with
Mr.. Stevens in this respect, claiming that
ii would cost not cent less than $50, 900,
and might run from that 10 100000. Mr..
Stoddard also thought it quite out of the
ordinary good practice TO suck water for
any distance-thus holding that it would
not be advisable, if this water were pro-
cured, to leave Our machinery in the pres
ent place. In this respect he is opposed by
the engineer at the County Hospital. and
also ar Williamson's both of whom claim
that it would be no trouble whatever to
suck water from any point on the table
lands TO the present Water Works, and
from thence distribute it through the city.
In this connection your committee desire
to present these figures, estimated by NJ r.
Rose, of the capacity of the various wells
now in use daily on the higher ground to
the southeast of the city:
Capacity of the Strong & Williamson Head
centrifugal pump $50 gallons per minute, or
50, 600 gallons per ten-hOur day.
Capacity of the Reed & Van Colder Wilbraham
rotary pump. 40 gallons per minute, or 2e4 900